Prebiotics: What are they & why should you care?

Probiotics, which most of us have heard of, are the living bacteria and microbes that reside in our gut and help it flourish. Prebiotics, on the other hand, are the nutrients needed to feed the probiotics in our gut. Prebiotics can be found in many different foods and have the potential to help not only our stomach, but our entire body thrive.

Benefits: Prebiotics exert positive effects on inflammation, the immune system, and our detox pathways. They can stimulate the production of short chain fatty acids which benefit energy levels, hormone production, inflammation, and cell health. Prebiotic rich foods can also help increase beneficial bacteria in the colon which is hard to do with probiotic supplementation alone.

Good Food Sources: Asparagus, avocado, banana, beets, dairy products (yogurt, cottage cheese, kefir), eggplant, flax seeds, garlic, green tea, honey, jicama, legumes, lentils, onions, peas, root vegetables, potatoes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and a variety of other fruits and vegetables

Together, a prebiotic and probiotic rich diet can help enhance your overall health by benefiting the gut, the brain, inflammation, and the immune system.